Chapter 82: Playing Hard to Get

Sun Ce neither agreed nor refused; he simply instructed Guan Yu to rest for two days in Wu Commandery, to stretch his limbs and refresh his spirit. Guan Yu, though himself a man of impatience, found himself under another’s roof, and could only settle into the guesthouse Sun Ce had arranged for him, waiting to see what Sun Ce would say after two days.

He had no inkling that this was a scheme devised jointly by Liu Xie and Sun Ce to ensnare him.

Liu Xie understood well the greatest advantage he presently possessed. Whether it be Cao Cao or Guan Yu, apart from a handful like Zhang Hong and Sun Ce, the rest of the world believed that, as emperor, he must surely have been coerced and brought to Jiangdong by Sun Ce, and that his status in Wu Commandery would be even lower than in Xuchang—after all, it was Liu Xie who had invited Cao Cao in the first place.

If Guan Yu thought thus, Liu Xie would be able to wield his eloquence to great effect.

After two days of anxious waiting, Guan Yu was greeted by someone he was at least somewhat familiar with—Zhang Hong.

Word had spread through Xuchang that it was Zhang Hong who had taken Liu Xie away, and Guan Yu believed this without question. Zhang Hong had always served as Sun Ce’s representative in Xuchang; previously, both he and Sun Ce had seemed utterly subservient to Cao Cao, and this servitude had lasted for a year or two.

A biting dog does not bark—this proverb was thoroughly proven in this matter.

“General, I hope you’ve been well.”

Though Zhang Hong had little interaction with Guan Yu in Xuchang, they knew each other, and Zhang Hong was certainly a senior official in Jiangdong. Guan Yu had realized this long ago; otherwise, he would not have sent him to Xuchang as a spy.

“Sir, I have come to request an audience with His Majesty, representing only myself. I have severed ties with Cao Cao, will not return to Xuchang, and am not counted among Jiangdong’s enemies.”

Zhang Hong’s willingness to see him meant there was hope, so Guan Yu was quite courteous.

“Bo Fu holds your reputation in high esteem, General. He has asked me repeatedly whether you might remain in Jiangdong—not merely as a general, but as a leader of the Han, and certainly not confined to your current rank.”

Guan Yu was just about to speak when Zhang Hong continued, unhurried.

“But I have already told Bo Fu that your ambitions lie elsewhere, and he need not try to retain you. Though he is reluctant, he admires your resolve in breaking away from Cao Cao single-handedly, and has decided to grant your request. Tomorrow, I will escort you to His Majesty’s palace; Bo Fu will not interfere, and whatever His Majesty decides, so it shall be.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Though he and Zhang Hong had little personal connection, Zhang Hong’s advocacy seemed somewhat tenuous, but the situation was as it was, and the promise of an audience with Liu Xie could not be false.

Once Zhang Hong departed the guesthouse, he went straight to the palace. It had been a long time since he had spoken privately with Liu Xie, especially after their wager; following that, Liu Xie had a deep conversation with Zhang Hong, and afterward, Zhang Hong had begun to liaise more with Sun Ce and Zhou Yu. The content of those discussions was known to no third party.

“Sir, it has been a while.”

Liu Xie received Zhang Hong in a side hall, his expression unchanged and his greeting brief.

“Your Majesty, Bo Fu entrusted me to arrange your meeting with Guan Yu. Around noon tomorrow, I will bring him to the palace.”

“Bo Fu’s delay of Guan Yu for two days has spared me considerable trouble. When you return, thank Bo Fu on my behalf.”

Liu Xie nodded, barely acknowledging the matter and showing little inclination to speak further.

Yet Zhang Hong did not immediately depart; after a brief silence, he asked in a low voice, “Your Majesty, the ultimate aim of this meeting is not to have Guan Yu serve Jiangdong, but to have him serve Your Majesty, is it not?”

At this, Liu Xie finally raised his eyes and fixed Zhang Hong in his gaze for several seconds.

“That you can discern this, sir, does not surprise me—for I have never concealed anything from you.”

He felt no anxiety at having his intentions laid bare, neither confirming nor denying the assertion.

“I am bound to Your Majesty by prior agreement, and as such will uphold my duties as a Han official. Yet Jiangdong is my home, and Bo Fu is as family to me, like an uncle or nephew.”

“Bo Fu and I are as brothers,” Liu Xie replied. “Can Bo Fu accept that? I merely wish to make my reign as emperor more true to its name. If you think I am mistaken, you may make me pay for it at any time. This world, after long division, is destined to unite, though it is uncertain who will achieve it. If that person is me or Bo Fu, we may both survive; if it is another, neither I nor Bo Fu will have a way out. Whether Guan Yu serves me or Jiangdong, at present, it makes little difference; but if his loyalty lies with Liu Bei, it will bode ill for Jiangdong. You, sir, surely understand these stakes.”

Liu Xie’s words were not easily grasped by most, but Zhang Hong was no ordinary man, and he understood almost instantly.

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for your clarity. May tomorrow’s affairs bring you swift success!”

They exchanged no more than ten sentences, but Liu Xie was satisfied with Zhang Hong, and Zhang Hong with Liu Xie.

After Zhang Hong left, Liu Xie hurried to the rooms of Lady Gan and Lady Mi, where the three whispered together for half an hour before Liu Xie departed, his expression tinged with boredom.

“What dealings does His Majesty have with the wives of these two uncles?”

There were few people in the palace, and Liu Xie’s movements could not fool Qiao Feng. Of Liu Xie’s women, Lady Fu did not trouble herself with his whereabouts, knowing he rarely left the palace.

The other two concubines had long been relocated by Sun Ce to avoid inconvenience. Aside from Lady Fu, there were the Qiao sisters; Qiao Shuang certainly did not secretly track Liu Xie, her impression of him fixed at the moment he had thrown Sun Ce from the martial stage—admiration and nothing more.

But once Qiao Feng’s curiosity about Liu Xie was aroused, it was unstoppable.

She felt that Liu Xie’s activities were not all frivolous—for instance, he would meet with Liu Bei’s wives, emerge dressed meticulously, which was wholly unlike his normal habits.

To meet Guan Yu, Liu Xie had made preparations early. In practice, Guan Yu had already arrived at the palace gates under Zhang Hong’s escort, while the maid reported that Liu Xie was still lingering in bed.